Spiritual Portal

Fasting is something I used to do every Sunday or once a month for three days. I’ve fasted up to two weeks straight but those fasts included drinking energy drinks to keep to that long of a fast. I’ve decided to fast again today on eating nothing and having an occasional orange juice which Paramahansa Yogananda recommended; That is a fruit juice fast, once a week or three days every month. It seems easier for me to fast if I’ve been doing a lot of work and need a break from everything. Just occasionally do nothing but fast, meditate and read some spiritual material. I think that a lot we’ve been talking about here on the portal about food should be balanced with occasional or for some more sedulous aspirants, with regular fasting.

I used to fast often but it gave rise to binge eating afterwards. The longer I fasted was 5 days only water. I wanted to do more but could not study for an impeding exam. I los 11 pounds.

Presently I only water-fast on Good Friday.

Otherwise, I practice sometimes the fast-mimicking diet by Valter Long, very low calories and very little protein for 5 days, bestows the metabolic benefits of fasting, without the drawbacks (excessive weight loss, excessive fatigue).

Ive gone on two week fasts but only when I have had the sensory stimulation of a long ride across the country and I would drink for instance energy drinks with perhaps fruit juice in the morning. Its always nice to see your weight take a dip. I guess I’ve started to learn some moderation coming off a fast by witnessing my desire to chow down and also drink some smoothies coming off a fast that would satisfy my greed for food. It’s amazing to me - how greedy these bodies we have are for sensory stimulation. But we can begin to witness and observe such behavior. I think more than not, we have to treat these bodies as restless children needing some observation and discipline.

Yes; on the other side, why no to throw the dog a bone, as Sri Yukteswar said to the disciple who was fasting too much? Raja Yoga is the path of moderation and balance.

The body must be disciplined but the body also needs a little stimulus to go on plodding and doing its duty.

Yes I find that one stimulation that helps is lighting incense a lot during a fast. It gives some added stimulation to the environment when food is not consumed.

Another I have found effective is going for a long walk through nature or taking a drive where you can enjoy nature and not the chaos of the city and suburbia.

I think the key 🔑 is to keep the stimulation going. At least that has been for me. Whether, listening to music, riding, spending time with friends or romance. Any number of stimulating activities, while avoiding tension and frustration related activities. The next day you’ll be so encouraged by your accomplishment…and if you can come out of the fast slowly, you will feel doubly rewarded!

What I like about fasting is that after the initial discipline there comes days when it just feels natural not to eat. It is another trap we fall into; Something we have to do. But there is a spiritual freedom about not being bound by anything. Ofcourse we may not be a Saint Theresa Newman this life and eat nothing. But we can feel some of the freedom and craving free attributes such people have had.

And definitely when we are sick 🤒 🤢 it is often our body telling us we need to fast and rid ourselves of toxins.


Just like your little added view about a ‘stimulus to go on plodding and doing its duty’. Sometimes it can indeed be this way in the middle of a fast until the body finally resigns itself to the will of it’s inhabitant and then a sort of freedom ensues that is recognized from the bodies constant outer complaints about not having been given due recourse. A bit like a spoiled brat. The best thing for me to do is not engage in too many ‘duties’ during the fast but find relaxing past times and some tasty fruit juices to avoid dehydration.

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